GOT Star's Medical Revelation Empowers Former Patient
- Theo Applebaum, Former Blythedale Children's Hospital Patient
![young man in front of bicycle](/sites/default/files/styles/320x180/public/2024-01/img_6215edit.jpg?h=b1ee8b81&itok=tZUohXq4)
I lived a normal, healthy and active life for fourteen years until I suffered a stroke caused by an unexpected brain hemorrhage.
I underwent life-saving surgery, but became partially paralyzed to the right side of my body. This was my lowest point, but I didn't know just how bad it was.
![young man in stander](/sites/default/files/styles/287w/public/2024-01/theofirstblythedalearrive_0.jpg?itok=M6Nvihpp)
In the months that followed, I couldn’t even think about getting back to school. My body and cognitive skills were broken, and my mind was still getting use to that harsh fact.
I began intensive physical, occupational and speech therapies at Blythedale Children's Hospital during the day and at night I would watch TV.
I was depressed.
Then, came "Game of Thrones" on HBO.
I had already read George R. R. Martin’s books, but after my stroke I didn’t have the energy to read even pamphlets.
Seeing the characters brought to life on television and going through their own struggles was an escape for me. It was just what I needed in my recovery.
One of the many challenges I faced was the lack of knowing or seeing younger people who've had brain injuries and the stigma that went along with it.
I felt like everyone I met was secretly, or not so secretly, judging me. I felt alone and less than my peers.
![emilia clarke photo](/sites/default/files/styles/287w/public/2024-01/emiliaclarke-personalessay-story.jpg?itok=cnbwx_xr)
So, when Emilia Clarke of "Game of Thrones" who plays Daenerys Targaryen, also known as Khaleesi, Breaker of Chains or Mother of Dragons, revealed that she also suffered a brain hemorrhage and stroke, like me, I felt instantly empowered. It sounds cheesy, but it’s true.
I think I had so many doubts about myself and my condition that I forgot that there are other people in the world.
Two years ago, my right side was useless and I couldn't speak or write, but just last summer I was able to bike 200 miles through Vermont and I plan on running the New York City Marathon in the future.
Today, I’m going to a rigorous school where I can express my love of "Game of Thrones" with paragraphs instead of jumbled up sounds. I also started to explore the arts by taking pictures and drawing. Even creating a digital illustration of Emilia Clarke from when she was on "Late Night with Seth Meyers" (left).
![emilia clarke drawing](/sites/default/files/styles/287w/public/2024-01/emilia-clarke-2.jpg?itok=LZj0SyOC)
I’m not saying everything is back to normal. I still struggle. I still have bad days. I still battle depression. I’m only human.
But compared to two years ago, I have grown by leaps and bounds.
When Emilia Clarke wrote her essay in The New Yorker about her battle with brain injuries it helped me tremendously to feel like I was no longer alone.
Thank you to the true “Breaker of Chains” for sharing your story.
To see Theo's journey, click here.